Travel to China from the UK requires a visa (unless it's to Hong Kong). I spent some time getting the correct information together (it wasn't always available, but everyone pulled together and it all arrived). In England there are 2 places to get a China Visa: London and Manchester. In terms of time, they're pretty-much equidistant from Birmingham. However, peak-hours travel to London is £140 (+ tube travel) and you're only allowed on certain trains. To Manchester (by the most expensive route with no restrictions) it's £61 (and the visa office is a 5-minute walk from the station). Guess where I went?
Because I had to wait for the office to process the paperwork, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Science and industry. It isn't as good as Birmingham's was (before they ruined it) but it's sited in the oldest surviving railway station in the world and is a great place to visit. Particularly liked 'Underground Manchester' which is, largely, about sewers - still wondering how they got the smell ...
Because I had to wait for the office to process the paperwork, I had the opportunity to visit the Museum of Science and industry. It isn't as good as Birmingham's was (before they ruined it) but it's sited in the oldest surviving railway station in the world and is a great place to visit. Particularly liked 'Underground Manchester' which is, largely, about sewers - still wondering how they got the smell ...
